Jermaine Jenas has lauded Arsenal star William Saliba after his stunning start to the season, but has warned defensive partner Gabriel that he needs to step up his game after being "exposed" by the young Frenchman.
Saliba has made a huge impact after being integrated into the Arsenal first-team squad by Mikel Arteta this season following a fruitful loan spell with Marseille. The 21-year-old has kept his spot in the team after impressing in Arsenal's season opener and was once again a standout performer in Saturday's impressive 3-1 win over Tottenham.
The former Saint-Etienne man has won plenty of plaudits for the role he has played in the Gunners' start to the campaign. But rather than just focusing on Saliba's excellence, Jenas claimed he has actually shown up his defensive partner in recent weeks.
"I just feel like Saliba has elevated the level that it’s just exposed Gabriel a little bit," Jenas told Vibe with Five. "He’s [Gabriel] still very good, he’s still a very good centre-half. But all of a sudden you’re looking at Saliba and you’re going, ‘we need another one of you’. He’s [Gabriel] still doing his job, he made a big impact last year.
"I think they’re still a bit light, I look at their midfield I think they’re a little bit light. At the minute I think they are performing at their highest level, and there’s only one way to go."
Gabriel enjoyed a fine campaign last term and has kept his spot alongside Saliba at the heart of Arsenal's defence ahead of £50million man Ben White, who has been deployed at right-back.
But Gabriel, linked with Juventus in the summer, has looked shaky at times this term. The Brazilian gave away a penalty in the derby and lacked the composure of Saliba, who has quickly become Arsenal's main man in defence.
Join the debate! What have you made of Saliba's start to the season? Let us know here.
Former Liverpool man Jamie Carragher is in full agreement with Jenas over the impact Saliba has made for Arsenal, with the player-turned-pundit claiming that he and Gabriel Jesus have taken Arteta's side to "another level".
“A lot of people thought that this season, maybe Spurs would be in the position that Arsenal are in now,” Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
“I’ve seen Spurs got a bit of criticism, but in terms of how Conte plays - they played like a Conte team. If they’d have got the final pass right on three or four occasions, they should have gone in at half-time in front.
“But I take nothing away from Arsenal, I’ve been so impressed with them at the start of the season - the pace they play at, the football they play. And the two signings…well not signings but Saliba and Jesus have come in and completely taken this team to another level.”
